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is staffed by qualified nursing staff and unqualified staff, and the
appropriate person is sent to each case. The service is run locally
through the Home Nursing Service.
The aim of this service is mainly to relieve relatives from night
nursing duties to enable them to get sufficient sleep and rest in order
to continue the often strenuous task of looking after a really sick
patient, particularly when he or his family wish the relative to remain
at home until the end.
The Authority also operate the Foundation's Area Welfare Grant
Scheme under which extra comforts may be supplied to a cancer
patient at the expense of the Marie Curie Foundation.
Incontinence Pads
The Authority continued the practice of issuing incontinence pads
at the request of the general practitioner or nurse in attendance.
Those patients who use these pads are provided with tarred
paper containers for disposal of the soiled pads through the refuse
collection service.
There was a marked increase in the number of cases to whom
these pads were issued during the year.
Incontinent Laundry Service
In conjunction with a neighbouring Authority, a collection and
delivery service of draw sheets is arranged, twice weekly, to patients
who have been recommended by a District Nurse.
DOMESTIC HELP SERVICE
Staff
At 31st December, 1967, the staff consisted of:—
1 Home Help Organiser.
1 Senior Assistant Home Help Organiser.
2 Assistant Home Help Organisers.
3 Clerks.
1 Full-time Home Help.
199 Part-time Home Helps.
Organisation
Recruitment has been maintained throughout the year, although
there has been a considerable changeover, due mainly to retirement,
ill health and Home Helps moving from the district.
The target figure of 120 whole-time equivalent Home Helps was
exceeded due to increased case load and additional hours required in
some existing cases. The demands on the service increase each year.
Fortunately, recruitment kept abreast of the demand.
Talks were given by the Home Help Organiser to Parentcraft
groups and the 'Visiting Service' of the Mitcham Old People's
Welfare.
There was a slight increase in the recruitment of Neighbourly
Helps but, owing to the heavy competition from local industry, this
scheme continues to be slow to expand.
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